High Intensity Interval Training within Cardiac Rehabilitation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Efficacy of High-Intensity Interval Training Compared with Moderate-Intensity Interval Training for Patients Undergoing Cardiac Rehabilitation
IRAS ID
176999
Contact name
Adrian Midgley
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Liverpool Heart & Chest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 4 months, 28 days
Research summary
Phase III cardiac rehabilitation programmes within the UK primarily involve cardiac patients performing bouts of physical exercise twice per week for 8 weeks. The exercise bouts are typically characterised by repeated short periods of exercise interspersed with short periods of rest. This type of physical exercise is known as interval training.
The proposed study will investigate whether greater rehabilitation improvements can be achieved if patients engage in higher intensity interval training compared to the moderate intensity interval training performed during standard care. Outcome variables will be changes in physical fitness and quality of life over the period of the 8-week rehabilitation programme, and psychological perceptions (such as enjoyment) of the two exercise intensities. The study aims to overcome limitations from the use of heart rate for prescribing the exercise by prescribing exercise using perceived exertion. Perceived exertion is measured on a scale ranging between 6-20 and is defined as how much effort patients perceive they are investing in the exercise. The intervention will involve patients exercising at a perceived exertion of between 16-17. The patients receiving standard care will exercise at a perceived exertion of 11-13.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0281
Date of REC Opinion
24 Apr 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion